imported>BattyBot: /* History */Removed/fixed incorrect author parameter(s), performed general fixes

2021-08-03T18:57:18Z

History: Removed/fixed incorrect author parameter(s), performed general fixes

New page

'''Sheroes Hangout''' is a cafe and community in India, run by survivors of [[acid attack]]s. The cafe aims to increase awareness of acid attacks and empower acid attack survivors. There are currently two cafe locations in [[Agra]] and [[Lucknow]].<ref name=":1" />

==History==
The first cafe, located in [[Agra]], was opened in 2014 by [[Alok Dixit]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cntraveller.in/story/cafes-agra-lucknow-run-acid-attack-survivors/|title=These cafes in Agra and Lucknow are run by acid attack survivors|date=2020-01-13|website=Condé Nast Traveller India|language=en-IN|access-date=2020-01-19}}</ref> of Stop Acid Attacks, a nonprofit based in New Delhi. Since that time, the cafe has expanded to open a second location in [[Lucknow]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/a21996931/cafe-acid-attack-survivors/|title=Meet Sheroes, The Acid Attack Survivors Fighting Back|last=Donovan|first=Louise|date=2018-07-27|website=ELLE|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-01-19}}</ref>

The cafe began as a [[Crowdfunding|crowdfunded]] project,<ref name=":1" /> and it operated with a [[pay what you want]] model. Early employees did not know how to run a restaurant, so they opted against setting prices, in case they made mistakes. This model remained in place for many years,<ref name=":0" /> but the cafe now features a fixed menu with fixed prices, as of 2020.<ref name=":1" />

Prior to working at the cafe, many of the women at Sheroes led solitary lives. They struggled with feelings of [[shame]] and [[Psychological trauma|trauma]]. About half of the women were attacked by relatives, and nearly all of them were attacked by people they knew. Oftentimes, they were attacked after rejecting marriage proposals or sexual advances.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://adventure.com/acid-attack-cafe-sheroes-agra/|title=Beyond the Taj Mahal: The Agra café staffed by India's acid attack survivors|date=2018-08-08|website=Adventure.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-19}}</ref> Following the attacks, some women rarely went outside, in part due to the shame attached to their physical appearance.<ref name=":1" /> Some women endured multiple surgeries, and they often struggled to find employment. Furthermore, they sometimes dealt with family or community pressure to stay silent on their attacks.<ref name=":0" />

For these reasons, Sheroes Hangout granted the women a place to find [[acceptance]], [[community]], and a means of income. Some of the women are now the primary earners in their families. The cafe is decorated with colorful murals, and there are books for customers to read on the bookshelves. A documentary on the cafe is available as well. Many of the patrons of the cafe are foreign [[Tourism|tourists]].<ref name=":2" /> As of April 2019, there were nine women working at the cafe in Agra and twelve women working at the cafe in Lucknow.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-col1-india-sheroes-acid-attacks-20190418-htmlstory.html|title=This cafe in India is fully run by acid attack survivors|date=2019-04-18|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-19}}</ref>

Since the founding of Sheroes Hangout, other projects have taken inspiration. In 2020, Orange Cafe was announced as a new project, which would be a cafe run by acid attack survivors in [[Varanasi]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/general-news/inspired-by-sheroes-cafe-acid-attack-survivors-in-varanasi-to-open-or|title=Inspired by 'Sheroes Cafe', acid attack survivors in Varanasi to open 'Orange Cafe'|website=Republic World|access-date=2020-01-19}}</ref>

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:Acid attack victims]]
[[Category:Community-building organizations]]
[[Category:2014 establishments in Uttar Pradesh]]

Sheroes Hangout - Revision history

imported>BattyBot: /* History */Removed/fixed incorrect author parameter(s), performed general fixes